Fly-swatter



R 0. W. LUDKE.

FLY SWATTER. APPLICATION F|.ED MAY 5, NHL RENEWED DEC. 23. 1918.

Patented J My 15, 1919.

agzzzaizd WITNESSES ATTORN EY THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cu. WASHINGTON. n, c,

orsicn.

RAYMOND 0. W. LUDKE, OF CO'PLAY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLY-SWATTER.

Application filed May 5, 1917, Serial No. 166,657.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, RAYMOND O. V. LUDKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Coplay, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fly- Swatters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fly-swatters, and it more particularly relates to an improved missile adapted to be discharged from a pop-gun or similar device of ordinary construction.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of this character with which a fly can be killed from a distance, without the necessity of climbing upon chairs and other furniture for cominginto reaching distance of the fly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which con stitutes both an amusing toy and a useful article for the purpose designated.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is not dangerous, and which is not detrimental to furniture, windows and other easily broken and easily marred articles.

Still another object is to provide a device of this character which is simple of construction and therefore comparatively inexpensive.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is very durable and which is thoroughly practical and efficient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages may be come apparent to those who read the following description and claim, in connection with the drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevation view illustrating the device which constitutes my invention in connection with an air-gun or pop-gun of any ordinary and appropriate kind Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation view of the missile or swatter which constitutes the preferred embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the center of Fig. 2.

Referring to these drawings in detail, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 15, 1919.

Renewed December 23, 1918. Serial No. 268,060.

pop-gun 10 is provided with a handle 11, a trigger 12 and a muzzle 13.

The missile comprises a cylindrical member 1-1, a spiral spring formed with a frusto conical portion 15 and a helical portion 16, a reticulated element or disk 17, and a frame 18.

The elements 10 to 13 inclusive, being of ordinary construction, are not described in detail; but the missile is believed to be of novel construction, and while such construction may be varied, the embodiment here disclosed is constructed according to the following details:

The cylindrical or approximately cylindrical member 14 is preferably made of cork, thereby operating somewhat similar to the tail of a kite, or to the hollowed rear end of a conical bullet, for retarding the rear end of the missle with relation to the front end thereof. This element, being light, is also harmless when furniture or other articles are struck thereby. However, I do not limit my invention to the use of cork, realizing that substitutes may be employed therefor. The helical coils 16 have a mean diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cylinder 1-1, and the coils 16 are normally partially embedded in the periphery of one end portion of the cylinder 14, the resiliency of the coils 16 and that of the cork cylinder 14 cooperating to retain the engagement of said coils 16 with the cylinder.

The coils 15 are so graduated that the smaller one fits into the next larger, which latter fits into the next larger one, and so on to thelargest one of the coils, which fits into the channel or annular recess 19 which is formed in the ring or circular frame 18. The spring elements 15 and 16 combine to form a funnel-shaped spring, the same comprising a single length or strand of wire, preferably hardened brass, although steel or other metal may be employed in the construction of this spring. The disk or reticulated element 17 is preferably formed of copper fly-screening, and may have its outer edge portion soldered or otherwise secured to the largest of the coils 15, and after thus securing the reticulated swatter element to the largest coil 15, the frame or cover 18 may be applied and secured in place by any appropriate means. The cover 18 is preferably composed of soft and pliable material, such, for instance, as velvet, plush, chalnois, kid, or the like.

In operating the device, the free end of the cylinder or stopper 14 is inserted in the muzzle 13, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the gun or piston 10 is aimed at a fly and the trigger 12 is pulled, whereupon, the cylinder 14: is ejected, in the well known manner, and the missile travels until the element 18 strikes the object on which the fly is seated. The thickness of the material from which the element 18 is formed, being somewhat less than that of the fly, the latter is crushed sufficiently to cause its death, but not sumciently to cause the fly to adhere to the missile or to the object upon which it was seated.

Because of the great resiliency of the frusto-conical spring element 15, the ,missile may be thrown at an acute angle to the wall or ceiling, and accomplish the same result as if thrown at right angles thereto, because, when one edge of the frame 18 strikes the flat Wall or surface, the opposite edge will immediately swing into parallel relation with said surface and be seated thereagainst while the resiliency of the element 15 allows the cylinder 14 to continue its course until its momentum is counteracted by the spring element 15.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a device of this character which is likely to become quite popular, both as a toy and as a useful article in every household where there are flies, mosquitos, roaches, or other insects to be destroyed.

Although I have described this preferred embodiment of my invention in minute detail, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to these exact details, but that I am entitled to make minor changes in the shape, size and material without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim:

An insect-destroying missile, comprising a resilient stopper to be fitted within the muzzle of a pneumatic gun, a helical spring comprising an end portion having its coils of uniform diameter and embracing an end of the resilient stopper and embedded therein, and having the remaining end of conical form and a swatter element at the outer end of the conical end.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RAYMOND 0. IV. LUDKE.

Witnesses:

OLIVE H. WEAVER, HARRY P. GRAMMns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. O. 

